Ten years ago, in July 2007 when I heard the new United
Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon would be speaking at the Fairmont Hotel,
I called my friend Hank Wilson and asked if he was up to zapping the world
leader to make sure he addressed LGBT issues during his visit. Wilson had two
questions: he wanted to know where and when to report for activist duty.

Wilson searched the web for evidence that Ban or his
immediate predecessor had addressed global gay issues in any of their public
statements and speeches, finding none he rustled up a few friends to join us.

As Ban began his talk before the packed hotel ballroom,
Wilson and I stood up and held banners over our heads reading "Gay Rights
Are UNiversal!" We demanded he speak about gay rights and he did.

Here is what Bay Area Reporter international columnist Heather
Cassell said happened next: "Surprised by the interruption, Ban said, 'That
is the most unusual welcome for me ... as secretary-general I'm supposed to
answer all questions ... the gay rights issue is very sensitive in many
cultures and traditions.' Ban then told the audience that he 'hoped to answer
all questions' but he held back about making any statements about LGBT issues,
stating that he 'reserved' to answer questions about 'gay issues for a later
time.'"

This decade-old episode perfectly shows how Wilson spoke,
nay, shouted truth to power and is a reminder of his long years of unstinting
service to the LGBT community, people with AIDS and HIV, folks getting clean
and sober, and the less fortunate.

Four days after his candidate, then-Senator Barack Obama,
was elected president in November 2008, Wilson quietly passed away and a gentle
giant of proud and loud activism was mourned, his life and legacy celebrated by
many. His many accomplishments would easily fill up a book.

What are some of the achievements he brought about that have
directly benefited our communities? This is what his Wikipedia entry says:

He also ran for District 6 supervisor in 2000 and didn't win,
but his race was one more way he practiced direct democracy and put his issues
out there. Creative and effective are two words I associated with Wilson before
I met him in the 1980s, as the AIDS plague was decimating the gay male
community.

It pleases me to share the news that a film about Wilson is
in the works. According to an announcement on Facebook, "Nearly a decade
has passed since the death of our beloved Hank Wilson. There have been starts
on documentary projects, but nothing reached fruition. Finally, the film is
getting underway. The pieces are falling into place. We have a wonderful
director, Joan Grossman. Now we need you."

A fundraiser is being held Saturday, September 9 at the home
of Dr. Laura Norell and Academy Award-winner Lora Hirschberg, located at 350
Page Street in San Francisco.

Organizers of the event state that everyone who knew and
loved Wilson and want to share stories about him for the documentary, and all
who wish to contribute money, are invited to attend.

I rarely donate money to such film projects, but I'll be at
the fundraiser to chip in some bucks to help get this movie made. My hope is
that you will also contribute to getting this project off the ground and
eventually shown at film festivals, in theaters, and available on all streaming
services.